Best and Worst Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances

[funnybone]

What a loaded question(s). We covered the small appliances a little while back, but mmy answers are:

Can't live without my:

* 6 qt Epicurian Kitchen Aid Mixer
* Braun 1/2 lb coffee grinder
* Pampered Chef Garlic Press
* Calphalon square grill pan
* All Calpalon pots and pans
* Too many others to name


Don't Use much:

* Food Processor
* Electronic thermometer from Pampered Chef (can do meats, candy, yeast, etc).

I still love them though

Waste of Money:

* Spritz Cookie Press
* Cute little wine bottle stopper (only because it does not fit the opening of any wines I have ever bought)
* Grapefuit spoons (I don't eat them and my husband peels them - lol).

Finally have found and ordered:

Clay brown sugar "bear" keeper

Mostly, I love all kitchen gadgets and keep looking for new ones.

[This message has been edited by funnybone (edited 03-31-2001).]

[Jewel]

I simply love Kitchen Gadgets and would buy so many more if we had the space. The only thing keeping me from buying a lot of appliances is that I have NO counter space. None...zip...zero. I have room for my coffee maker, my toaster, my hand-painted canister set (that has to stay), my microwave and my bread box. Anything else would have to be stored in the china cabinet, which will NOT hold any more. I can't have my dream KitchenAid mixer because of that, and my food processor is the Kitchen Aid combination blender & small food processor combined. It's only a 3-cupper, but it serves my purposes. I have to haul out the hand mixer for mixing jobs, and store the immersion blender (boat motor) in a drawer along with my coffee grinder! I don't even have wall space for a Bakers Rack type shelf to put them on! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif
Because I have to be really careful storage-wise, I can't fulfill the dreams of impulse-buy appliances like I'd wish...but:

I bought the 'Juiceman Juicer' a year ago and have only used it a dozen times, not because it doesn't work well (it does!) but because chopping all the fruits & veggies and then straining the juice twice (my preference) and then cleaning it takes about a half hour for one glass of juice. If I had it on the counter I'd probably use it more, but since it's stored I forget about it. I also don't use my bread machine as much as I thought I would, plus I'm trying to cut back on bread in general!

I could not live, however, without my good set of Henkel knives. I got kitchen store gift certificates as a wedding gift, and I used all of them together to buy my knife block. I'm fanatical about my knives, and whenever I cook at someone else's home, either my mom or MIL, I go nuts because neither one of them had sharp knives. Guess what each of them got for Christmas? Just because I couldn't stand it when I was there!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Vanessa]

Oh this is one question I have asked myself m
Things I use:Electric wok,kitchen scale,
toaster,Kitchen Aid,Cuisinart,Calphalon skillets non stick, stockpot (use all the time),grill pan (starting to use it more)
in summer BBQ grill,my blender gets more use in the summer for those piña coladas and daiquiris,
Things I have and have not used (or use a few times)Calphalon Wok(2)
toaster oven,slow cooker (2),basket to keep rolls warm,paella pan, beautiful serving silverplated containers those that have candles under to keep food warm, Juice maker
some Calphalon pans,Fajita skillets (have 3)
Calphalon roaster with top (its new)
Au gratin Calphalon (new guess I should make a cobbbler),Rotisserie for BBQ,Smoker thing for BBQ
Things I use but not much:
Bread maker,coffee grinder, electric mini pie maker & probably bunches of stuff I cannot recall.By the way DH got me this round terra cotta coin like to keep brown sugar not getting hard...works nice!
You know the funny thing is DH & I love gadgets but decided not to get more for a while . That did not last long just recently got a pizzelle maker an attatchmet for K Aid (today). Its just so great to go into kitchen stores...I guess one never knows when one might need something or friends might need to borrow http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Vanessa (edited 03-31-2001).]

[BosunsWife]

Things I couldn't live without:

Professional Kitchen Aid Mixer - I don't use it daily or sometimes even weekly, but when I do look out.

Breadmachine - At first wasn't sure I'd use it much (gift from parents), but I make WW bread for our little girl and use it sometimes two - three times a week. Great for pizza dough in a hurry.

Those wonderful new (or new to me) scraper/spatulas that won't melt or stain. I've got to get some more of them.

Airbake cookie sheets - I bake a lot and couldn't do without them. DH is threatened with life and limb if he even considers putting frozen pizza on them LOL!

Those are my biggies, although I have a lot of others that make life easier, such as good pans and good baking gear.

Things that I seldom use:

Coffee grinder - I am the only one that drinks coffee and its easier to buy it already ground at the market.

Pastry cloth and rolling pin cover - never use it. My mom was appalled that I rolled out dough on the kitchen counter and bought me these. Still in the original bag!

As for the rest, blender, Cuisinart, etc. I still use them, but not all the time. Glad I have them but probably could do without them if I had to.

[breadmama]

I love my bread machine! It's a Panasonic 1 pound machine - I've had it for about 7 years. We use it a lot, and it's held up really well. I think we've made well over 1,000 loaves so far! Actually, now I'm having more fun using the dough cycle than baking in the machine. It kneads dough better than my KitchenAid mixer, and it's so easy.

I also have a Whisper Mill grain mill that I use to grind white whole wheat for baking. This flour is so much lighter than the whole wheat you buy at the store - my family likes it and they can be pretty finicky! I like to make hearty breads to go with homemade soups, etc.

My third fave is my Calphalon nonstick Dutch oven. It's wonderful, and it's the pot I reach for most often.

There are a lot of little gadgets in my drawer that probably need to be weeded out, but I can't really think of anything that was a real waste. I haven't used my pasta maker and ravioli wheel much, but I'm still hoping to!

[KimKelly]

I also could not live without my bread machine . I just bough one of those breadman's that King Arthur had on sale and I love it! (It replaced a well worn 10 year old Hitachi).

I love my Kitchen Aid Mixer also.

As for gadgets, I love my new garlic peeler - a little platic tube that you stuff the unpeeled garlic into and roll it on the counter and out pops peeled garlic! (and a bunch of garlic peel that goes all over...)
And my mom just gave me an egg timer that goes into the pot when you cook hardboiled eggs. I never made a good hardboiled egg till I had this.

For those I don't really use, I would have to say my quisinart and microwave for appliences. I like them, but could definitely live without them.
I also never use my citrus zester (I just buy the zest dried)
And my mom gave me these sandwich mold things that you can make sandwich shapes out of, a heart and a circle, they are each about 4 inches around and have never been used in the 6 years since she gave them to me. (Ok.. I have to take that back, my son uses them for play dough!)

Kim

[woodsl]

I have bought a lot of kitchen gadgets (and applicances) that I thought were so cool, but I rarely use them. I also have some that I can't live without. It would be interesting to know:

1. What gadgets or appliances do you use the most and can't live without? I am thinking of buying a really good mandoline.
2. What gadgets or applicances have you bought that you don't use (For grins, I would like to compare it to some of the stuff I have bought).

#1 for me is my KitchenAid mixer (with a grinder attachment) and my AllClad nonstick cookware. I also love my mini food chopper (Cuisinart) and my little cheese grater to grate parmesan cheese (it looks like the ones used at restaurants).

#2 would be my bread maker, which I thought I would use all the time and I don't, and the following appliances that I either threw away or gave away: a mini ice cream maker; a pasta maker; a funny little grill that sat on the stove (you put water in it somewhere under the grill); a set of vegetable garnish tools; a garlic grater (someone gave me this); and a Pampered Chef apple peeler/slicer. I am sure there are more, but I will stop.

[This message has been edited by woodsl (edited 03-31-2001).]

[Gina O]

I always enjoy reading about what gadgets everyone finds most/least useful as I am a gadget collector big time. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

My can't live without things: mini and "maxi" Cusinart, the Kitchenaid stand-up mixer, great knives, and the garlic peeler (I LOVE that little thing!!!)

Things that I love but don't use quite as frequently: the really nice mandoline, it is great for several select things, a zester, my copper fondue pot and some of my Caphalon.

Things gathering dust or since given away: the bread machine, the espresso maker, the Caphalon wok, the Caphalon grill pan, the Tupperware spice containers and the coffee grinder. Oh I almost forgot... the numerous attachements for the Kitchenaid in a box in the bottom of my pantry!!! Gina

[This message has been edited by Gina O (edited 04-01-2001).]

[Terrytx]

I probably have given away as many things as I use such as the ice cream maker, tortilla griddle, pasta machine, and many more.

The things I have used to death and worn out and had to replace..Black and Decker Steamer, Bread machine and food processor. I also love my new Kitchen Aid stand mixer.

As for gadgets, my little bitty wisk and the spatulas like Bosunswife.

[KValley]

I'm not at home so I'm trying to envision my kitchen from this hotel room:

Gadgets/Cookware I love and use often:

Clay Roaster
Electric Steamer use this several times a week for vegetables, fish
Henkel butcher knife
Krups coffee grinder
Large non-stick skillet
non-stick Dutch oven
Large Pyrex bowl that belonged to my grandmother- it must be 50 years old
Garlic Press
Continuous turn corkscrew

Collecting dust:
Bread machine
Food processor I think it's the one I have- just a hassle to assemble/disassemble.I'd really like to use it more often.
special aluminum (I think)pasta cooker with steamer on top

[Curleytop]

Things that I love: KITCHENAID MIXER, HAND MIXER,CUISINART, MINI CUISINART, BREADMACHINE. PRESSURE COOKERS, CLAY POTS & BAKERS, CIRCULON WOKS (3 sizes,)good knives, JUICER, TOASTER, MICROWAVE.
Things that can do without: garlic press,
Blender (USE IT SOMETIMES).
All the Mistakes http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif I "offer" to my kids, or donate to the Good Will!

[Lisa C]

The things I couldn't live without:
- baking stone (I use it ALL the time)
- garlic press (again - probably every day!)

What I don't use
- I bought a blender about 3 months ago - it's still in the box in the back of my closet. I had convinced myself that I was going to make breadcrumbs out of the bread I end up throwing out every week, smoothies, etc etc.
- Springform pan - bought it 3 years ago - haven't used it yet!


HONORABLE MENTION
I'm patiently waiting for my new Food Saver to come in the mail (I ordered on Ebay last week). I think that might make it into the "can't live without" list!

[This message has been edited by Lisa C (edited 04-01-2001).]

[KathrynY]

Never use:
*Bread machine - took up way too much space, I failed miserably at bread making, finally donated it to a charity tag sale last summer
*Food processor - by the time I remember I have one hidden in the back of the closet, I've already chopped whatever it is by hand

Couldn't live without:
*Rice cooker - my favorite appliance! Will never make rice any other way.
*Blender - for smoothies, and chopping cranberries
*Toaster oven - use it every day

[kbucky]

I must take this opportunity to rave about my MIRACLE THAW...bought it on a whim for $2 on clearance a few years back and was shocked to find that it really works! Seriously...rock-hard chicken breasts thaw in ~20 minutes! We use it at least once a week these days, as we're cutting down on trips to the store and using more frozen meat.

We are now intrigued with all the As Seen on TV paraphenalia...hey, you never know, they might be on to something! Our poor friends all have witnessed the amazing ice-cube demonstration http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

I hardly ever use the little rotary grater we bought...easier to use the flat one.

[Gail]

This thread is so amusing-- what one cook finds a waste of money, the next sees as indispensible. I'm reading things, thinking "she actually likes that thing?" convinced were I to post my complete list of must-haves, it would strike someone else as just as incomprehensible.

My absolute favorite gadget is that $8.00 Shrimp-Peel gadget I got from Williams-Sonoma. While I certainly don't use it on a daily basis, I think the thing is worth its weight in gold, making a tedious job a heck of a lot more more tolerable.

I'm trying to think what I have and have never used: guess that would be the pasta maker attachment for my Cuisinart. I still don't see it as a total loss though, since I am probably the Supreme Procrastinator of the Universe.



[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 04-03-2001).]

[aggie94]

Things I can't live without:

wok
bamboo steamer
rice cooker
(can you tell I cook a lot of Chinese food?!)
Weber BBQ (Ok, so it's not a "kitchen gadget" but it's related to cooking!)

Things I wouldn't miss:

toaster
food processor attachment for my blender

[Chefmom]

Oh my! It is interesting the different things that people can't live without or just can't find a use for!

Okay, the things I can't live without....
My KitchenAid mixer. I have a 9 year old 4 1/2 qt Ultra model and it has only been serviced once. That's pretty darn good since it sees commercial use in my kitchen.

I love my bread machine. I have formulated all of my favorite recipes to fit in it so I can whip up dough at any time. I really don't use it to bake, just to mix and knead. I also CAN'T live without my Black And Decker super-dooper model toaster oven. I now use it soooo much more than the microwave.

Um, as for hand tools, I adore my garlic press (I will NEVER mince by hand again), my spice grater, my son bought it for me and it's shaped like a fish. I love my veggie peeler. It's the one from my tools from Culinary School and it is razor sharp. I wish I knew where to buy another one because I have had a few near misses (I travel with it I love it so much) with losing it.

My rice cooker. I only recently bought this, I just picked up a cheapie model at K-Mart because I didn't want to spend over $50 and then hate it. I was SHOCKED at how light and tasty the plain old rice was! I now use it 4+ times a week at least.

As for what I don't use, well, I have a square waffle maker. I though I would finaly make waffle cookies from my childhood and my kids always talk about wanting square waffles, but when I ask, they want the round Belgium waffles. So my Belgium waffle maker gets used two or three times a week and the other one sits in the pantry.

A plug in Spritz cookie shooter thing. My mother gave it to me and I HATE IT. I love my little Spritz cookie press, and even the Mirro that has the twist handle (it's like the one my mother used when I was little), but the plug in one is just awful.

Oh, all of those &&%%^$$#%$%$^%$^ Wilton character cake pans. I bought SOOO much STUFF when I first started cake decorating, and I don't think I have ever used all of the character cake pans. Eventually I'll get them up on ebay!!

I'm not much of a gadget person. I believe in tools not gadgets. Plus I just don't have the room.

Tami

[makedah]

Can't live without
Oxo vegetable peeler
Cuisinart food processor
Microplane (for grating) I bought this yesterday and I've already used it twice. I'm in LOVE!

Never use
waffle iron -- it was a cheap one, and believe me I got what I paid for.
toaster
slow-cooker

[neutro]

To the list of useless gadgets add a battery operated chef's fork with thermometer and a deluxe juicer.

[ReneeV]

Hi!
My "can't live withouts": Cuisinart Food Processor, Salter digital food scale, Henkel 4 Star knives.

My "Oops, wish I hadn't purchased THAT": George Forman Grill (Actually it was a Christmas gift. I prefer to grill outside on my gas grill, even in the NJ winter!); Electric deep fryer (bought it at Odd Jobs for a song and I do use it occasionally, but mostly it sits in storage.)

Renée

[mariakj]

I love this thread! I agree with everyone's must haves so far. I couldn't cook without my KitchenAid mixer and foodprocessor, All Clad pans (plus if someone breaks in you could probably knock em out with the large saute pan), and I just love the Henkels knives. But here are a few weird ones that I haven't seen mentioned yet:

Pampered Chef Food Chopper-This thing is amazing. It chops everything, nuts, peppers, olives, onion, you name it, it chops it and then you throw it in the dishwasher. Plus, depending on the number of times you hit the plunger, the coarser or finer the chop. Use it everyday and it never goes in the cabinet.

Williams Sonoma Cherry Pitter-Ok, I know this may seem really weird, but I love this thing. I love fruit salad, but I hate pitting cherries and having my fingers all stained afterwards. Plus...it has an added use...olive pitter. I use it on Kalamata olives all the time and it works great. Whenever I make greek salad I pit my olives so there is no spiting pits at the dinner table. I used it the other night when I made the CL recipe "Grouper with two pepper relish" (the recipe is fabulous and on the CL website) which called for chopped kalamata olives. I pitted them and then used my Food Chopper to chop them.

Egg Slicer- Ok, once again this may sound crazy but I use mine all the time. I actually use it for just about everything other than eggs. I use it mainly to slice mushrooms and olives. Sliced mushrooms are more expensive at the store, so I buy the whole ones and use the egg slicer and it takes no time at all. Plus you can use it on fresh strawberries. Works like a charm and strawberry pie in the summer is that much easier.

That's probably enough for now.